Your Life Cadets fast for the day to support Muslim pals

CADETS at Radford Road Air Training Corps fasted for a day in a bid to better understand Ramadan.

While all squadrons have Christmas parties and Easter holidays, organisers believe Radford Road may be the only ones to try Ramadan.

The squadron’s fast took place on Friday, June 2. All those who wanted to try Ramadan for the day had to remember to not eat or drink anything from sunrise to sunset (2.35am until 9.23pm).

Given that this was the middle of the summer, this was a very long time – the fifth longest in the world – therefore it was important that the cadets prepared the day before by drinking lots of water.

Organisers started the challenge in order to better under- stand the experience of their Muslim cadets, who come to squadron having fasted all day. Every year, more and more cadets are keen to take up the challenge.

One of the main reasons why Muslims fast is to understand how the millions of peo- ple who live in poverty around the world manage without food and water.

The challenge was entirely voluntary and, this year, 11 cadets and one member of staff took part, before breaking the fast after Final Parade with a meal kindly provided by the Sheikh family. The event wasn’t even over before the cadets asked if they could do it again next year.

Cl Sheikh said he is “very much appreciative that so many of you give it a go and I think such a big sacrifice says a lot about our Squadron.”